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Phlegm-Damp Constitution
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1. What is Phlegm-Damp Constitution?
Phlegm-damp refers to abnormal substances that are sticky and turbid within the body, resulting from a pathological disorder of fluid metabolism. Individuals with a phlegm-damp constitution have reduced metabolic functions of the organs, making it easy for dampness to condense into phlegm.
The phlegm-damp constitution is characterized by a tendency towards a heavier, more corpulent body type, with manifestations of phlegm-damp such as obesity and a sticky, turbid feeling.
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2. Characteristics of Phlegm-Damp Constitution
1. The body is overweight and feels heavy, often leading to a sense of lethargy and a strong desire to sleep.
2. The skin has a high secretion of oil, indicating an oily skin type, often appearing shiny.
3. Prone to sweating; even in warm weather or with slight exertion, one may sweat profusely, with the sweat being sticky.
4. Cravings for sweet, fried, and rich foods, such as ice cream, candy, fried chicken legs, French fries, and fried dough sticks.
5. Chest tightness with phlegm, often feeling discomfort in the chest.
6. A stable personality, calm in actions, and generally good-tempered.
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3. Diseases Easily Caused by Phlegm-Damp Constitution
1. Obesity: “Those with phlegm-damp are often overweight, while those who are thin tend to have internal heat.” Individuals with phlegm-damp are prone to gaining weight.
2. Hypertension: Generally accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness, nausea, dizziness, and swelling.
3. Hyperlipidemia: Phlegm-damp increases blood viscosity, easily leading to hyperlipidemia.
4. Fatty liver: Fatty liver caused by alcohol consumption, rich diets, and staying up late is often related to phlegm-damp constitution.
5. Coronary heart disease: Phlegm-damp leads to hyperlipidemia, which can further develop into coronary heart disease.
6. Cerebrovascular diseases: Hyperlipidemia and hypertension can easily lead to cerebrovascular diseases, such as stroke or transient ischemic attacks.
7. Acne: Oily skin types are more prone to developing acne.
8. Gastric diseases: Individuals with phlegm-damp constitution often suffer from gastrointestinal diseases due to irregular eating habits over time.
9. Menstrual irregularities: Prone to delayed menstruation, scanty flow, or even amenorrhea.
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4. How to Detect Phlegm-Damp Constitution
1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis: Observation, Listening, Inquiry, and Pulse Diagnosis
2. Questionnaire Surveys
3. Modern Instrument Assessment
Infrared Thermal Imaging
TCM Meridian Detection Instrument
TCM Four Diagnosis Instrument
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5. How to Regulate Phlegm-Damp Constitution
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Dietary Regulation
Law
Individuals with phlegm-damp constitution should maintain a light diet, incorporating foods that can disperse lung phlegm, strengthen the spleen, benefit the kidneys, and transform dampness. Common foods include winter melon, lotus leaves, hawthorn, adzuki beans, white radish, nori, jellyfish, onions, coix seed, oats, cabbage, amaranth, shepherd’s purse, mung bean sprouts, and kelp.
They should avoid fatty meats and sweet, sticky, and greasy foods, such as cakes and pastries.
Alcohol should also be consumed in moderation, and overeating should be avoided.
Avoid eating rock candy, pomegranates, jujubes, and grapefruit, and especially avoid binge eating and eating too quickly. Salt intake should be limited.
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Exercise
Law
Engage in gradual and consistent physical exercise based on individual circumstances, such as running, hiking, swimming, ball sports, dancing, aerobics, martial arts, yoga, Yi Jin Jing, Ba Duan Jin, and Wu Qin Xi.
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Medicinal Diet
Law
Four Nut and Bean Congee
Ingredients: 20g each of coix seed and red adzuki beans, 15g each of winter melon seeds and white lentils, 5g each of bitter apricot kernels and white cardamom, and 150g of japonica rice.
Preparation: Rinse all ingredients, soak in cold water for 1 hour, then add the soaked rice to a clay pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer until the congee thickens and the beans are soft.
Effects: Strengthens the spleen, drains dampness, promotes phlegm resolution, and moistens the intestines for smooth bowel movements.
Stir-fried Lotus Root with Bean Sprouts
Ingredients: 200g of fresh or dried lotus leaves, 50g of soaked lotus seeds, 100g of shredded lotus root, 150g of mung bean sprouts, and appropriate amounts of vegetable oil and salt.
Preparation: Boil the lotus seeds and lotus leaves in water to make a broth. Heat vegetable oil in a pan, stir-fry the shredded lotus root until 70% cooked, then add the lotus seeds, mung bean sprouts, and lotus leaf broth, seasoning with salt, and cook until everything is tender.
Effects: Nourishes the spleen and kidneys, drains dampness, and reduces obesity.
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Meridian Health
Law
Fenglong Point (Fenglong Xue)
Location: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, 8 cun above the tip of the outer ankle, 1 cun lateral to the Tiaokou point, and 2 fingerbreadths (middle finger) lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
Function: Strengthens the spleen, dispels dampness, and transforms phlegm.
Zusanli Point (Zusanli Xue)
Location: Located on the anterior lateral side of the lower leg, 3 cun below the knee joint, 1 fingerbreadth (middle finger) from the anterior edge of the tibia.
Function: Strengthens the spleen and stomach, dispels dampness, and transforms phlegm.
Use the thumb or fingertip to massage Fenglong and Zusanli points. These two points are key for phlegm resolution and blood circulation. Apply moderate pressure, massaging twice daily for 2 to 3 minutes each time.
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Fire Dragon Moxibustion
Law
Fire Dragon Moxibustion is a special moxibustion technique that involves warming acupuncture points along the back meridians to unblock the Ren and Du meridians. It has the effects of harmonizing yin and yang, promoting circulation, strengthening the kidneys, and enhancing spleen and stomach function.
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Editor: Li Junyu
Reviewers: Feng Fang, Wang Yingzi, Zhang Qian